§ Sir Charles Lemonasked the Vice-President of the Board of Trade whether it was the intention of the Government to bring forward, with a view to its enactment in the present Session, a Bill to prevent excessive dredging for oysters during the breeding season, by which practice, as had been abundantly proved, the oyster beds were often seriously injured, and might be entirely destroyed?
§ Sir G. Clerksaid, it was not the intention of the Government to bring in any Bill on the subject at present. It was a matter of considerable importance, affecting the present and future supply of oysters, and it was well known that the practice which the hon. Baronet complained of prevailed. It was a question, however, whether the preventing the removal of oysters to other beds, where they increased in size, would not be prejudicial to the trade. On the whole, it was a subject worthy the consideration of the Government; and the hon. Baronet might be sure that attention would be given to it.